How can we forget our good friend Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin, the deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence? As you may recall, eyebrows were raised around the world when NBC discovered that Bush had asked a man to coordinate our military intelligence in the war on terror who also happened to be an anti-Muslim religious zealot.
Among Boykin’s more colorful remarks, which were delivered in uniform, included the notion that our enemy isn’t Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden, but rather, “The enemy is a spiritual enemy. He’s called the principality of darkness. The enemy is a guy called Satan.” In explaining why terrorists hate us, Boykin said it’s because “we’re a Christian nation,” which will defeat our enemies “if we come against them in the name of Jesus.”
Boykin also recalled a Muslim soldier in Somalia who believed Allah would protect him in battle against the U.S. “Well, you know what I knew, that my God was bigger than his,” Boykin said. “I knew that my God was a real God, and his was an idol.” When the Muslim soldier was eventually captured, Boykin claims to have told the man that he “underestimated our God.”
And now, Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) wants to give this guy a promotion and have him take the lead in the U.S. special operations command.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Sen. George Allen, R-Va., recommended Lt. Gen. William G. (Jerry) Boykin, currently the Pentagon’s deputy undersecretary for intelligence, for the post at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. The current commander, Army Gen. Bryan “Doug” Brown, is retiring, and the Pentagon has not filled the job.
“I am told, and I believe it to be true, that no special operations officer currently on active duty is more highly respected or admired by his superiors, peers or subordinates alike, than Jerry Boykin,” Allen wrote in the letter dated March 31 and obtained by The Associated Press.
I guess Allen saw McCain cozying up to Jerry Falwell and thought he better ratchet things up a notch for 2008 purposes.
Keep in mind, a Pentagon investigation found that Boykin violated military guidelines for official conduct with his bizarre in-uniform speeches. Boykin failed to obtain clearance for his remarks, failed to clarify that his remarks were personal and not official, and failed to report reimbursement of travel costs from one of the sponsoring religious groups.
Rumsfeld’s Pentagon dragged its feet on an investigation, but officials ultimately concluded that Boykin should face “appropriate corrective action” for his behavior. (It was swept under the rug and nothing serious happened as a result.)
Even more importantly, questions have also been raised about Boykin’s role in approving dubious “interrogation techniques” at Guantanamo Bay.
Allen considers these circumstances and believes Boykin should be promoted? I realize Bush has established a pretty low standard when it comes to rewarding those who make the biggest mistakes, but this seems over the top, even by GOP standards.
For what it’s worth, and to his credit, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner (R-Va.) said Allen’s suggestion will be largely ignored.
“Senator Allen is entitled to his views. He did not consult with me on this matter, but this officer would not be among those whom I would recommend for this position,” Warner said in a statement to the AP.
Good. Now if only Allen could explain what he was thinking in the first place….